Counterbalancing mechanism and power tool having same

ABSTRACT

A reciprocating power tool may include a driving system including a motor and a transmission received in a housing to drive a reciprocating mechanism. A counterbalance mechanism may be coupled between the driving system and the reciprocating mechanism. The counterbalance mechanism may include a rotating counterbalance mechanism including a first rotating counterweight member and a second rotating counterweight member coupled to an output gear of the driving system. The counterbalance mechanism may include a rocking counterweight member coupled between the output gear and the housing. The output gear may include a recessed portion in which the first rotating counterweight member and a clutching system are received.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to, U.S.application Ser. No. 17/654,133, filed on Mar. 9, 2022, entitled“COUNTERBALANCING MECHANISM AND POWER TOOL HAVING SAME,” the disclosureof which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

FIELD

This document relates, generally, to a counterbalancing mechanism for apower-driven tool.

BACKGROUND

Reciprocating mechanisms may be included in various different types oftools such as, for example, reciprocating saws and jig saws. In thesetypes of tools, reciprocating mechanisms may convert a rotary force ormotion to a reciprocating force or motion, for output by the tool. Insome examples, the reciprocating force or motion may be a substantiallylinear reciprocating force or motion. In some examples, thereciprocating force or motion may follow a linear path or an orbitalpath. Operation of a motor of this type of power tool may generate aforce, for example, a rotational force. The reciprocating mechanism maybe coupled to the motor by, for example, a transmission mechanism thatprovides for force transfer between the motor and the reciprocatingmechanism. The reciprocating mechanism may convert the rotational force,or rotational motion, output by the motor to a reciprocating force orreciprocating motion, to drive a reciprocal motion of an output spindleof the tool. In some situations, forces such as vibration generated dueto operation of the components of the tool, and in particular thereciprocating mechanism, may adversely affect operation of the tool.Providing for balance in the reciprocating mechanism may improve usercontrol of the tool and may enhance utility and operational safety,enabling a user to operate the tool for extended periods of time, versusa limited duration, for a tool having relatively high vibration duringoperation.

SUMMARY

In one general aspect, a reciprocating power tool may include a housing;a driving mechanism including a motor and a transmission mechanismreceived in the housing; a reciprocating mechanism received in thehousing, the reciprocating mechanism including a shaft that is coupledto an output gear of the driving mechanism, wherein the shaft isconfigured to reciprocate generally along an axis of operation inresponse to rotation of the output gear; and a counterbalance mechanism.The counterbalance mechanism may include a first counterbalance devicecoaxially arranged with respect to the output gear about a central axisof rotation and configured to rotate together with the output gear aboutthe central axis of rotation; and a second counterbalance deviceeccentrically coupled to the output gear and configured to perform arocking motion with respect to the central axis of rotation in responseto rotation of the output gear.

In some implementations, the first counterbalance device is configuredto balance forces generated by reciprocating motion of the shaft alongthe axis of operation when a position of the first counterbalance deviceis in phase with a reciprocating motion of the shaft along the axis ofoperation; and the second counterbalance device is configured to balanceforces generated by the first counterbalance device when the position ofthe first counterbalance device is out of phase with reciprocatingmotion of the shaft along the axis of operation.

In some implementations, the first counterbalance device may include afirst rotating counterweight member positioned at a first side of theaxis of operation and configured to rotate about the central axis ofrotation together with the output gear; and a second rotatingcounterweight member positioned at a second side of the axis ofoperation and configured to rotate about the central axis of rotationtogether with the output gear and the first rotating counterweightmember. A center of mass of the first counterbalance device may bebalanced with respect to the axis of operation. The secondcounterbalance device may include a rocking counterweight member,including a weighted end portion positioned between the first rotatingcounterweight member and the second rotating counterweight member; aslot formed in the weighted end portion, wherein the slot iseccentrically coupled to a hub portion of the output gear; and an armportion that is pivotably coupled to a housing of the reciprocatingpower tool.

In some implementations, the reciprocating power tool may include acollar provided on the hub portion of the output gear, eccentricallypositioned with respect to the central axis of rotation of the outputgear, wherein the slot is slidably coupled on the collar such that theweighted end portion of the rocking counterweight member performs therocking motion in response to rotation of the output gear. In someimplementations, the reciprocating power tool may include a yoke havinga first end portion thereof coupled to the shaft, and a second endportion thereof coupled to an eccentric pin provided on the hub portionof the output gear, coaxially arranged with the collar, such that theyoke is aligned with the axis of operation of the shaft and the secondend portion of the yoke is positioned between the first counterbalancedevice and the second counterbalance device.

In some implementations, the first rotating counterweight member iscoupled to the hub portion of the output gear, and the coupled firstrotating counterweight member and hub portion are received in a recessformed in a body portion of the output gear. In some implementations,the reciprocating power tool may include a clutching system coupled inthe recess formed in the output gear, between the hub portion and thebody portion of the output gear. The clutching system and the firstrotating counterweight member of the first counterbalance device may befixed in the recess of the output gear and may be configured to maintainsynchronized operation of the rotation of the first counterbalancedevice about the central axis of rotation, rocking motion of the secondcounterbalance device with respect to the central axis of rotation, andthe reciprocating motion of the shaft along the axis of operation.

In another general aspect, a reciprocating power tool may include ahousing; a driving system including a motor and a transmission receivedin the housing; a reciprocating mechanism received in the housing, thereciprocating mechanism including a shaft that is coupled to an outputgear of the driving system, wherein the shaft is configured toreciprocate generally along an axis of operation in response to rotationof the output gear. The output gear may include a body portion; a recessformed in the body portion; and a hub portion coupled in the recess, thehub portion being coupled to a central shaft defining an axis ofrotation of the output gear. At least one rotating counterweight membermay be coupled to the hub portion and coupled in the recess, between thehub portion and the body portion of the output gear. A clutching systemmay be coupled in the recess of the output gear, between the hub portionand the body portion.

In some implementations, the at least one rotating counterweight member,the hub portion and the body portion of the output gear are configuredto rotate together about the central axis of rotation in response to adriving force from the driving system. The at least one rotatingcounterweight member may include a first rotating counterweight memberpositioned at a first side of the axis of operation and configured torotate about the central axis of rotation together with the output gear;and a second rotating counterweight member positioned at a second sideof the axis of operation and configured to rotate about the central axisof rotation together with the output gear and the first rotatingcounterweight member. One of the first rotating counterweight member orthe second rotating counterweight member may be coupled to the hubportion and received in the recess formed in the body portion of theoutput gear.

In some implementations, the reciprocating power tool may include arocking counterweight member having a first end portion pivotablycoupled to the housing, and a second end portion thereof eccentricallycoupled to the output gear. The rocking counterweight member may beconfigured to perform a rocking motion in response to rotation of theoutput gear.

In some implementations, the first and second rotating counterweightmembers may be configured to rotate together with the output gear, andto balance forces generated by reciprocating motion of the shaft alongthe axis of operation when the first and second counterweight membersare positioned in phase with reciprocating motion of the shaft along theaxis of operation; and the rocking counterweight member may beconfigured to balance forces generated by the first and second rotatingcounterweight members when the first and second rotating counterweightmembers are positioned out of phase with reciprocating motion of theshaft along the axis of operation.

In some implementations, the clutching system and the first rotatingcounterweight member fixed in the recess of the output gear may beconfigured to maintain synchronized operation of the rotation of theoutput gear and the first and second counterweight members about thecentral axis of rotation, rocking motion of the rocking counterweightmember with respect to the central axis of rotation, and thereciprocating motion of the shaft along the axis of operation.

In some implementations, the rocking counterweight member may include aweighted end portion positioned between the first rotating counterweightmember and the second rotating counterweight member; a slot formed inthe weighted end portion, wherein the slot is coupled a collar on thehub portion of the output gear; and an arm portion that is pivotablycoupled to a housing of the power-driven reciprocating tool. The collarmay be eccentrically positioned on the hub portion with respect to thecentral axis of rotation of the output gear. The slot may be slidablycoupled on the collar such that the weighted end portion of the rockingcounterweight member performs the rocking motion in response to rotationof the output gear. In some implementations, the reciprocating powertool may include a yoke having a first end portion thereof coupled tothe shaft, and a second end portion thereof coupled to an eccentric pinprovided on the hub portion of the output gear, coaxially arranged withthe collar, such that the yoke is aligned with the axis of operation ofthe shaft and the second end portion of the yoke is positioned betweenthe first and second rotating counterweight members.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in theaccompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will beapparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an example reciprocating power tool.

FIG. 2A is a side view of an example power tool including areciprocating mechanism.

FIG. 2B is a side view of the example reciprocating power tool shown inFIG. 2A, with a portion of a housing removed.

FIGS. 2C(1) and 2C(2) are top views, and FIG. 2D is a perspective view,of internal components of the example reciprocating power tool shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an example counterbalancing mechanism ofthe example reciprocating power tool shown in FIGS. 2A-2D.

FIGS. 4A-4E illustrate operation of an example counterbalancingmechanism of the example reciprocating power tool shown in FIGS. 2A-2D.

FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate interaction of the example counterbalancingmechanism with an example clutch system of the example reciprocatingpower tool shown in FIGS. 2A-2D.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A schematic view of an example power tool 100 including a reciprocatingmechanism is shown in FIG. 1 . The example tool 100 includes a drivingmechanism 110 generating a driving force, for example, a rotationaldriving force. A transmission mechanism 120 is coupled between thedriving mechanism 110 and a reciprocating mechanism 130. Thetransmission mechanism 120 transfers the driving force generated by thedriving mechanism 110 to the reciprocating mechanism 130. In anarrangement in which the driving force generated by the drivingmechanism 110 is a rotational force, or a rotational motion, therotational motion produced by the driving mechanism 110 may be convertedinto a reciprocating force, or reciprocating motion to be output by anoutput accessory 140 such as, for example, a blade coupled to thereciprocating mechanism 130. The tool 100 may be operable in a linearmode of operation, in which the reciprocating motion is a linearreciprocating motion. The tool 100 may be operable in an orbital mode ofoperation, in which the reciprocating motion is an orbital reciprocatingmotion. The driving mechanism 110, the transmission mechanism 120, andthe reciprocating mechanism 130 may be received in and/or coupled to ahousing 190. The output accessory 140 coupled to the reciprocatingmechanism 130 may extend from the housing 190, to interact with aworkpiece (not shown in FIG. 1 ). In some implementations, the drivingmechanism 110 may be an electric motor that receives power from, forexample, a power storage device (such as, for example, a battery), anexternal electrical power source, and the like. In some implementations,the driving mechanism 110 may be an air driven, or pneumatic motor, thatis powered by compressed air introduced into the housing 190 from anexternal compressed air source. Other types of driving mechanisms, andother sources of power, may provide for power driven operation of thetool 100.

In a power tool that makes use of reciprocal motion, vibration may begenerated by multiple sources. For example, vibration may be generatedby interaction forces, or frictional forces between a cutting implement,such as a blade, coupled to the output accessory 140 and a work pieceduring operation. Inertial forces, due to relative movement of theinternal components of the tool 100, may cause instability and/orvibration, whether or not the tool 100 is engaged with a work piece. Forexample, as internal components of the various mechanisms of the tool100 move and change direction, reaction forces are generated toaccelerate/decelerate the component(s). An example of this may be thereaction forces generated due to the reciprocal motion of areciprocating shaft of a reciprocating mechanism of a power tool. In asituation in which the tool 100 is not rigidly fixed to a mountingsurface, but rather, held by an operator, the cyclic nature of this typeof motion results in vibration experienced by the operator. Thereciprocating motion of the reciprocating mechanism/output accessory 140may cause opposite, reciprocal motion to be felt, or experienced by theoperator, as vibration. This vibration may adversely affect precisionand utility of the tool 100.

A reciprocating power tool, in accordance with implementations describedherein, includes a counterbalance mechanism that counteracts vibratoryforces that would otherwise adversely affect operability of the tool. Insome implementations, the counterbalance mechanism includescounterweighting features incorporated into the reciprocating power toolto counteract inertial forces generated by reciprocal operation of areciprocating shaft of the reciprocating power tool. In some examples,the counterweighting features include a pair of counterweightingfeatures that are coupled on opposite sides of the reciprocating shaft,and that rotate with a gear mechanism driving the reciprocating shaft,to move the center of gravity of the counterweighting features intoalignment with that of the reciprocating shaft. This may balance, orreduce or substantially eliminate, forces at least in a first direction,generated when the center of gravity of the counterweighting feature(s)is otherwise offset from that of the reciprocating shaft. In someexamples, the counterbalance mechanism includes a counterweight featurethat is coupled between the gear mechanism and a remote pivot, tobalance, or reduce or substantially eliminate, forces in at least asecond direction.

FIG. 2A is a side view of an example reciprocating power tool 200,including an example counterbalance mechanism 300, in accordance withimplementations described herein. FIG. 2B is a side view of the examplepower tool 200 shown in FIG. 2A, with a portion of a housing 290 of thetool 200 removed so that internal components are visible. FIG. 2B is aside view of the example tool 200 shown in FIG. 2A, with a portion ofthe output housing 294 removed so that internal components of the tool200 are visible. FIG. 2C is a top view, and FIG. 2D is a top perspectiveview, of some of the internal components of the example tool 200 shownin FIGS. 2A and 2B. FIG. 3 is a top perspective view, in whichcomponents of the counterbalance mechanism 300 are more easily visible.The example power tool 200 shown in FIGS. 2A-2D and 3 is a reciprocatingpower tool, and in particular, a reciprocating saw, simply for purposesof discussion and illustration. The principles to be described hereinmay be applied to other types of power tools that implementreciprocating motion, such as, for example, jig saws, scroll saws,oscillating tools, and the like.

The example tool 200 may include a housing 290 in which components ofthe tool 200 are received. In the example shown in FIGS. 2A-2D, thehousing 290 includes a motor housing 292 in which a driving system, suchas a motor, is received, and an output housing 294 in which outputcomponents of the tool 200 are received. One or more selectionmechanisms 280 provide for selection of an operating mode of the tool200. In the example shown in FIGS. 2A-2D, the tool 200 includes aselection mechanism 280 provided on the output housing 294. Theselection mechanism 280 provides for selection of an operation mode froma plurality of operation modes. The plurality of operation modes mayinclude, for example, a linear mode of operation or an orbital mode ofoperation. An accessory tool coupling device 270 provides for couplingof an accessory tool, for example, a blade (not shown in FIG. 2A) to theexample tool 200. In the example shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the accessorytool coupling device 270 includes a tool holder (sometimes alternativelyreferred to as a clamp) 272, provided at a distal end portion of areciprocating shaft of the reciprocating mechanism 230 housed in theoutput housing 294. A cleat 274 may be selectively coupled to the outputhousing 294 and arranged proximate the tool holder 272 to guide aposition of the tool 200 relative to a workpiece and maintain alignmentof an accessory tool coupled in the tool holder 272 relative to theworkpiece. A trigger 285 provided on a handle portion 296 of the housing290 may be selectively manipulated by the user for operation of the tool200.

A driving mechanism including, for example, a motor 210 and atransmission 220, and a reciprocating mechanism 230 are received in thehousing 290 of the tool 200. The transmission 220 may convert a drivingforce, for example, a rotational force, generated by the drivingmechanism including the motor 210 and the transmission 220, to areciprocating linear force to be output by the reciprocating mechanism230. In some implementations, a counterweighting mechanism 300 iscoupled to the reciprocating mechanism 230 to counteract imbalancesgenerated by the driving mechanism including the motor 210 and thetransmission 220 and/or the reciprocating mechanisms 230 duringoperation. The example reciprocating mechanism 230 shown in FIGS. 2B-2Dincludes a reciprocating shaft 231 having a first end portion thereofcoupled to a guide bracket 232. In some examples, the guide bracket 232is, in turn, coupled to, for example a portion of the housing 290 suchthat the guide bracket 232 is fixed and remains stationary within thehousing 290. The tool holder 272 is coupled to a second end portion ofthe reciprocating shaft 231. An intermediate portion of thereciprocating shaft 231 is slidably received in a bushing 233. In someexamples, the bushing 233 is coupled to the selection mechanism 280 viaa pivot bracket 235, such that the orbit bushing 233 is movable withinthe housing 290 in response to manipulation of the selection mechanism280, to adjust a position and/or an orientation of the reciprocatingshaft 231 relative to the guide bracket 232. A yoke 234 has a first endportion coupled to the first end portion of the reciprocating shaft 231,and a second end portion coupled to an output gear 222 of thetransmission 220. For example, the second end portion of the yoke 234may be coupled to a pin 225 of the output gear 222. The pin 225 may beeccentrically positioned relative to a center of rotation of the outputgear 222. Rotation of the output gear 222 causes reciprocating motion ofthe second end portion of the yoke 234 coupled to the pin 225, in turncausing reciprocal motion of the reciprocating shaft 231 coupled to thefirst end portion of the yoke 234.

As shown in FIG. 2C(1), the guide bracket 232 includes a first guidebracket 232A coupled to a second guide bracket 232B to define aninternal space therebetween in which the first end portion of thereciprocating shaft 231 is slidably received. In the view shown in FIG.2C(2), the first guide bracket 232A and the output gear 222 are removed,and in the perspective views illustrated in FIG. 2D, the second guidebracket 232B is removed, so that interaction of the reciprocating shaft231 and yoke 234 within the guide bracket 232 is visible. A closer inperspective view of the counterbalance mechanism 300 is shown in FIG. 3. A slot 241 is formed in the first end portion of the reciprocatingshaft 231, with the first end portion of the yoke 234 positioned in theslot 241. A shaft 242 extends through an opening in a first side wall ofthe first end portion of the reciprocating shaft 231, through the firstend portion of the yoke 234, and out through a corresponding opening ina second side wall of the reciprocating shaft 231. A first roller 243Ais coupled to a first end of the shaft 242 at the first side wall of thefirst end portion of the reciprocating shaft 231, and a second roller243B is coupled to a second end of the shaft 242 at the second side wallof the first end portion of the reciprocating shaft 231. The firstroller 243A is received in a guide slot 236A defined in the first guidebracket 232A. The second roller 243B is received in a guide slot 236Bdefined in the second guide bracket 232B (not shown in FIG. 2D). Rollingmotion of the rollers 243A, 243B in the guide slots 236 of therespective guide brackets 232A, 232B guides the reciprocating motion ofthe reciprocating shaft 231.

As noted above, in some implementations, the power tool 200 shown inFIGS. 2A-2D and 3 may include a counterbalance mechanism 300. Theexample counterbalance mechanism 300 includes a first counterbalancedevice 310 and a second counterbalance device 320. In this examplearrangement, the first counterbalance device 310 is a rotatingcounterbalance device coupled to a central shaft 350 defining a centralaxis of rotation of a hub portion 352 of the output gear 222, such thatthe first counterbalance device 310 rotates together with the outputgear 222 about the central axis of rotation (defined by the centralshaft 350) of the output gear 222/hub portion 352. The hub portion 352is coupled in a recess 332 formed in a body portion 331 of the outputgear 222. In this example arrangement, the second counterbalance device320 is a rocking counterbalance device that is coupled between thecentral shaft 350 defining the central axis of rotation of the outputgear 222 and a remote pivot point at, for example, the housing 290 ofthe tool. The first counterbalance device 310 and the secondcounterbalance device 320 of the counterbalance mechanism 300 may worktogether to balance forces generated due to the interaction of therotating and reciprocating components of the tool 200.

The first counterbalance device 310 includes a first rotatingcounterweight member 311 and a second rotating counterweight member 312.The first and second rotating counterweight members 311, 312 are fixedto the central shaft 350 such that the first and second rotatingcounterweight members 311, 312 rotate together with the output gear 222.The second counterbalance device 320 is a rocking counterbalance device320 including a weighted end portion 322 having a slot portion 325 thatis movably coupled on a collar 340 positioned between the first rotatingcounterweight member 311 and the hub portion 352. In the examplearrangement shown in FIG. 3 , the collar 340 is aligned with, orcoaxially arranged with, the eccentric pin 225 to which the second endportion of the yoke 234 is coupled, such that the collar 340 is offsetfrom, or eccentric relative to the center of rotation of the output gear222 at the central shaft 350 defining the central axis of rotation ofthe hub portion 352 and output gear 222. An arm portion 324 includes apivot joint 327 that is pivotably coupled to, for example a portion ofthe housing 290. As the output gear 222 rotates, the pivotal coupling ofthe arm portion 324 and movable coupling of the slot portion 325 on theeccentric collar 340 causes a rocking motion of the weighted end portion322 of the rocking counterbalance device 320.

The reciprocating shaft 231 and the first end portion of the yoke 234coupled to the first end portion of the reciprocating shaft 231 mayreciprocate along an axis of operation A (see FIGS. 2C and 2D).Reciprocation of the reciprocating shaft 231/yoke 234 along the axis ofoperation A, and changes in direction as the reciprocating shaft 231moves in a first direction during the out stroke, and then in a seconddirection for the return stroke, generates inertial forces that will betransferred to the user of the tool 200 in absence of anycounterbalancing of these inertial forces. In some examples, theseinertial forces may be counterbalanced by the addition of rotatingcounterbalancing features. In the example arrangements shown in FIGS.2B-3 , the second end portion of the yoke 234 is coupled to the pin 225(i.e., the eccentric pin on the hub portion 352 of the output gear 222),the first rotating counterweight member 311 is positioned on a firstside of the yoke 234/reciprocating shaft 231, and the second rotatingcounterweight member 312 is positioned on a second side of the yoke234/reciprocating shaft 231. That is, in this example arrangement, thefirst and second rotating counterweight members 311, 312 are positionedon opposite sides of the axis of operation A. This positioning of thefirst and second rotating counterweight members 311, 312 on oppositeside of the axis of operation A along which the reciprocating motion iscarried out provides a measure of transverse balance of the firstcounterbalance device 310 as the reciprocating mechanism 300reciprocates during operation of the tool 200.

FIGS. 4A-4E illustrate the relative positions of the reciprocating shaft231, first counterbalance device 310 and second counterbalance device320 through a full stroke, i.e., an out stroke and a return stroke, ofthe reciprocating mechanism 300 (360° rotation of the output gear 222).In FIG. 4A, the reciprocating shaft 231 is in a substantially fullyretracted position (referred to as 0° and 360° of rotation of the outputgear 222), prior to initiation of the outstroke. In FIG. 4A, the firstcounterbalance device 310 (including the first rotating counterweightmember 311 and the second rotating counterweight member 312 which rotatetogether with the output gear 222 in the direction of the arrow R) ispositioned at approximately 90 degrees of rotation from a top deadcenter position, and substantially aligned with/oriented in parallel tothe axis of operation A of the reciprocating mechanism/reciprocatingshaft 231. In FIG. 4A, the position of the first counterbalance device310 (including the first and second rotating counterweight members 311,312) may be considered to be in phase with the reciprocating motion ofthe reciprocating shaft 231 along the axis of operation A. In thearrangement shown in FIG. 4A, a force F1 generated due to thereciprocating motion of the reciprocating shaft 231 is balanced by aforce F2 produced as the first counterbalance device 310 as the forcesF1 and F2 are substantially aligned/parallel to the axis of operation Ain opposite directions. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 4A, the secondcounterbalance device 320 is in a substantially neutral position. Withthe forces F1 and F2 exerted in substantially opposite directions,aligned substantially in parallel with the axis of operation A, theforces generated by the reciprocating motion of the reciprocating shaft231 are balanced by the mass of the first counterbalance device 310.

As the output gear 222 continues to rotate in the direction of the arrowR, from the position shown in FIG. 4A to the position shown in FIG. 4B,the reciprocating shaft 231 initiates the out stroke and moves from thefully retracted position shown in FIG. 4A to the partially extendedposition shown in FIG. 4B. In FIG. 4B, the first counterbalance device310 has rotated approximately 90 degrees from the position shown in FIG.4A, and the force F4 exerted by the mass of the first counterbalancedevice 310 has moved out of the parallel alignment with the axis ofoperation A of the reciprocating shaft 231. In FIG. 4B, the position ofthe first counterbalance device 310 may be considered to be out of phasewith the reciprocating motion of the reciprocating shaft 231 along theaxis of operation A. The rotation of the output gear 222 andcorresponding eccentric movement of the offset, or eccentric collar 340within the slot portion 325 has also caused the weighted end portion 322of the second counterbalance device 320 to shift upwards, such that aforce F3 exerted by the mass of the weighted end portion 322 of thesecond counterbalance device 320 balances the force F4 generated by theposition of the first and second rotating counterweight members 311, 312of the first counterbalance device 310. Without the offset provided bythe force F3 of the rocking counterweight device 320, the position ofthe first and second rotating counterweight members 311, 312 wouldgenerate an imbalance that would result in vibratory forces felt by theuser and potentially affecting precision of the tool 200.

As the output gear 222 continues to rotate in the direction of the arrowR, from the position shown in FIG. 4B to the position shown in FIG. 4C,the reciprocating shaft 231 is in a substantially fully extendedposition, and the first counterbalance device 310 has rotatedapproximately 90 degrees from the position shown in FIG. 4B. In FIG. 4C,the position of the first counterbalance device 310 may be considered tobe in phase with the reciprocating motion of the reciprocating shaft 231along the axis of operation A. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 4C, aforce F5 generated due to the reciprocating motion of the reciprocatingshaft 231 is balanced by a force F6 produced as the first counterbalancedevice 310. In FIG. 4C, the second counterbalance device 320 is again ina substantially neutral position. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 4C,with the opposite forces F5 and F6 aligned in parallel with the axis ofoperation A, the forces generated by the reciprocating motion of thereciprocating shaft 231 are balanced by the mass of the firstcounterbalance device 310.

As the output gear 222 continues to rotate in the direction of the arrowR, from the position shown in FIG. 4C to the position shown in FIG. 4D,the reciprocating shaft 231 has initiated the return stroke and is in apartially retracted position, and the first counterbalance device 310has rotated approximately 90 degrees from the position shown in FIG. 4C.In FIG. 4D, the force F7 exerted by the mass of the first counterbalancedevice 310 has moved out of the parallel alignment with the axis ofoperation A of the reciprocating shaft 231. In FIG. 4D, position of thefirst counterbalance device 310 may be considered to be out of phasewith the reciprocating motion of the reciprocating shaft 231 along theaxis of operation A. The rotation of the output gear 222 andcorresponding eccentric movement of the collar 340 has also caused theweighted end portion 322 of the second counterbalance device 320 toshift downward, such that a force F8 exerted by the mass of the weightedend portion 322 of the second counterbalance device 320 balances theforce F7 generated by the position of the first counterbalance device310. Without the offset provided by the force F8 of the rockingcounterweight device 320, the position of the first counterbalancedevice 310 would generate an imbalance that would result in vibratoryforces felt by the user and potentially affecting precision of the tool200.

As the output gear 222 continues to rotate in the direction of the arrowR, from the position shown in FIG. 4D to the position shown in FIG. 4E,the reciprocating shaft 231 is in a substantially fully retractedposition at the end of the return stroke, and the first counterbalancedevice 310 has rotated approximately 90 degrees from the position shownin FIG. 4D. In FIG. 4E, the position of the first counterbalance device310 (including the first and second rotating counterweight members 311,312) may be considered to be in phase with the reciprocating motion ofthe reciprocating shaft 231 along the axis of operation A. In thearrangement shown in FIG. 4E, a force F9 generated due to thereciprocating motion of the reciprocating shaft 231 is balanced by aforce F10 produced as the first counterbalance device 310 including thefirst and second rotating counterweight members 311, 312. In thearrangement shown in FIG. 4E, the second counterbalance device 320 is ina substantially neutral position. With the forces F9 and F10 exerted insubstantially opposite directions, aligned substantially in parallelwith the axis of operation A, the forces generated by the reciprocatingmotion of the reciprocating shaft 231 are balanced by the mass of thefirst counterbalance device 310.

FIG. 5A is an exploded view, and FIG. 5B is an assembled view of thecounterbalance mechanism 300 coupled in the output gear 222. FIG. 5C isa perspective view of the counterbalance mechanism 300, and FIG. 5D is aperspective view of the example counterbalance mechanism 300 with theoutput gear 222 removed so that a position of the second rotatingcounterweight member 312 is visible. As noted above, and as shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B, the second rotating counterweight member 312 is mountedon a hub portion 352 and received in a recess 332 of the output gear222, with a clutch spring 334 and a clutch washer 336 positioned betweenthe output gear 222 and the second counterweight member 312/hub portion352. Positioning of at least a portion of the first counterbalancedevice 310, in particular the second counterweight member 312, in therecess 332, engaged with the clutching system (including the clutchspring 334 and the clutch washer 336) in this manner maintainsengagement of the first counterbalance device 310 with the clutchingsystem, to in turn maintain synchronization between the counterbalancemechanism 300 and the reciprocating mechanism/reciprocating shaft 231during operation. Synchronization between the counterbalance mechanism300 and the reciprocating mechanism/reciprocating shaft 231 duringoperation provides for synchronization of a position of the elements ofthe counterbalance mechanism 300 (i.e., the first, rotatingcounterbalance device 310 and the second, rocking counterbalance device320) and a position of the reciprocating shaft 231 as described abovewith respect to FIGS. 4A-4E. This may allow the tool 200 to maintainbalanced operation through a single full stroke (i.e., an out stroke anda return stroke) and also through numerous repeated strokes duringreciprocating operation of the reciprocating power tool 200.

This arrangement also allows the mass of the first counterbalance device310 to be split on opposite sides of the axis of operation A of thereciprocating shaft 231. That is, a single rotating counterweight on oneside of the axis of operation A would generate moment forces due to theoffset between the axis of operation A of the reciprocating shaft 231and the center of gravity of the singe rotating counterweight, whichwould in turn generate vibratory forces that would be transmitted to theuser. In contrast, the arrangement shown in FIGS. 5A-5D allows the massof the first counterbalance device 310 (the first rotating counterweightmember 311 and the second rotating counterweight member 312) to be spliton opposite sides of the axis of operation A, and substantiallyequidistant from the first end portion of the reciprocating shaft 231,to balance moment forces that would otherwise be generated, andpropagated as vibration.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and“having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described hereinare not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance inthe particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specificallyidentified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood thatadditional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,”“connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may bedirectly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element orlayer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engagedto,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another elementor layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Otherwords used to describe the relationship between elements should beinterpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directlybetween,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein,the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein todescribe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections,these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should notbe limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguishone element, component, region, layer or section from another region,layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numericalterms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearlyindicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region,layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element,component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachingsof the example embodiments.

Terms of degree such as “generally,” “substantially,” “approximately,”and “about” may be used herein when describing the relative positions,sizes, dimensions, or values of various elements, components, regions,layers and/or sections. These terms mean that such relative positions,sizes, dimensions, or values are within the defined range or comparison(e.g., equal or close to equal) with sufficient precision as would beunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art in the context of thevarious elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections beingdescribed.

While certain features of the described implementations have beenillustrated as described herein, many modifications, substitutions,changes and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. Itis, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended tocover all such modifications and changes as fall within the scope of theimplementations. It should be understood that they have been presentedby way of example only, not limitation, and various changes in form anddetails may be made. Any portion of the apparatus and/or methodsdescribed herein may be combined in any combination, except mutuallyexclusive combinations. The implementations described herein can includevarious combinations and/or sub-combinations of the functions,components and/or features of the different implementations described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A reciprocating power tool, comprising: ahousing; a driving mechanism including a motor and a transmissionmechanism received in the housing; a reciprocating mechanism received inthe housing, the reciprocating mechanism including a shaft that iscoupled to an output gear of the driving mechanism, wherein the shaft isconfigured to reciprocate along an axis of operation in response torotation of the output gear; and a counterbalance mechanism, including:a counterbalance device eccentrically coupled to the output gear andconfigured to perform a rocking motion with respect to a central axis ofrotation of the output gear in response to rotation of the output gear.2. The reciprocating power tool of claim 1, wherein the counterbalancemechanism includes: a rocking counterweight member, including: aweighted end portion; a slot formed in the weighted end portion, whereinthe slot is eccentrically coupled to a hub portion of the output gear;and an arm portion that is pivotably coupled to a housing of thereciprocating power tool.
 3. The reciprocating power tool of claim 2,further comprising a collar provided on the hub portion of the outputgear, eccentrically positioned with respect to a central axis ofrotation of the output gear, wherein the slot is slidably coupled on thecollar such that the weighted end portion of the rocking counterweightmember performs the rocking motion in response to rotation of the outputgear.
 4. The reciprocating power tool of claim 3, further comprising ayoke having a first end portion thereof coupled to the shaft, and asecond end portion thereof coupled to an eccentric pin provided on thehub portion of the output gear, coaxially arranged with the collar, suchthat the yoke is aligned with the axis of operation of the shaft and thesecond end portion of the yoke is positioned adjacent to thecounterbalance device.
 5. The reciprocating power tool of claim 2,further comprising a clutching system coupled in a recess formed in abody portion of the output gear, between the hub portion and the bodyportion of the output gear.
 6. A reciprocating power tool, comprising: ahousing; a driving system including a motor and a transmission receivedin the housing; a reciprocating mechanism received in the housing, thereciprocating mechanism including a shaft that is coupled to an outputgear of the driving system, wherein the shaft is configured toreciprocate generally along an axis of operation in response to rotationof the output gear, wherein the output gear includes: a body portion; arecess formed in the body portion; and a hub portion coupled in therecess, the hub portion being coupled to a central shaft defining anaxis of rotation of the output gear; and at least one rotatingcounterweight member coupled to the hub portion and coupled in therecess, between the hub portion and the body portion of the output gear.7. The reciprocating power tool of claim 6, wherein the at least onerotating counterweight member, the hub portion and the body portion ofthe output gear are configured to rotate together about the axis ofrotation in response to a driving force from the driving system.
 8. Thereciprocating power tool of claim 6, wherein the at least one rotatingcounterweight member includes: a first rotating counterweight memberpositioned at a first side of the axis of operation and configured torotate about the axis of rotation together with the output gear; and asecond rotating counterweight member positioned at a second side of theaxis of operation and configured to rotate about the axis of rotationtogether with the output gear and the first rotating counterweightmember, wherein one of the first rotating counterweight member or thesecond rotating counterweight member is coupled to the hub portion andreceived in the recess formed in the body portion of the output gear. 9.The reciprocating power tool of claim 8, further comprising: a rockingcounterweight member having a first end portion pivotably coupled to thehousing, and a second end portion thereof eccentrically coupled to theoutput gear, wherein the rocking counterweight member is configured toperform a rocking motion in response to rotation of the output gear. 10.The reciprocating power tool of claim 9, wherein the first rotatingcounterweight member and the second rotating counterweight member areconfigured to rotate together with the output gear, and to balanceforces generated by reciprocating motion of the shaft along the axis ofoperation when the first rotating counterweight member and the secondrotating counterweight member are positioned in phase with reciprocatingmotion of the shaft along the axis of operation; and the rockingcounterweight member is configured to balance forces generated by thefirst rotating counterweight member and the second rotatingcounterweight member when the first rotating counterweight member andthe second rotating counterweight member are positioned out of phasewith reciprocating motion of the shaft along the axis of operation. 11.The reciprocating power tool of claim 9, wherein the rockingcounterweight member includes: a weighted end portion positioned betweenthe first rotating counterweight member and the second rotatingcounterweight member; a slot formed in the weighted end portion, whereinthe slot is coupled a collar on the hub portion of the output gear; andan arm portion that is pivotably coupled to a housing of thereciprocating power tool.
 12. The reciprocating power tool of claim 11,wherein the collar is eccentrically positioned on the hub portion withrespect to the axis of rotation of the output gear, wherein the slot isslidably coupled on the collar such that the weighted end portion of therocking counterweight member performs the rocking motion in response torotation of the output gear.
 13. The reciprocating power tool of claim12, further comprising a yoke having a first end portion thereof coupledto the shaft, and a second end portion thereof coupled to an eccentricpin provided on the hub portion of the output gear, coaxially arrangedwith the collar, such that the yoke is aligned with the axis ofoperation of the shaft and the second end portion of the yoke ispositioned between the first rotating counterweight member and thesecond rotating counterweight member.